Clements and Tanner both picked up much-needed wins on Friday night, as Clements rode its strong defense to a win over East Lawrence while Tanner saw the welcome return of C.J. Yarbrough and Jakobe Shoulders help them to a win over Cold Springs.

Clements’ defense had done a lot of great things this season, but one thing it hadn’t done was get a shutout. That changed on Friday in the Colts’ 17-0 win over East Lawrence.

Clements didn’t get a whole lot from its offense, but it was plenty to beat the hapless Eagles, who were shut out for the third consecutive game.

After a scoreless first quarter, Clements’ special teams got on the board early in the second quarter as Ryland Kirk blocked a punt that went out the back of the end zone for a safety to give the Colts a 2-0 lead that would last until halftime.

Kirk would score on a 3-yard run late in the third quarter to give Clements a 10-0 lead after a 2-point conversion, and would close the scoring with 31 seconds left in the game on another 3-yard run.

Clements (3-5, 1-5 Class 3A, Region 8) will close its region portion of the schedule next week at Elkmont.

Tanner 28, Cold Springs 14

After missing most of the last three games with an ankle injury, C.J. Yarbrough returned to the lineup for Tanner and caught two touchdown passes to help the Rattlers end a four-game losing streak.

While he played quarterback before his injury, Yarbrough played wide receiver on Friday as Owen Green remained the quarterback, the position he had played the previous three games.

Defensive standout Jakobe Shoulders also returned, and played well in his defensive line position.

After Cold Springs scored first to go up 7-0, Green threw a touchdown pass to Yarbrough that gave the Rattlers an 8-7 lead after Jaleel Thatch ran in the 2-point conversion.

Tanner added another score in the second quarter, as Green and Yarbrough hooked up again for another touchdown toss. The score was 14-7 at halftime.

Cold Springs scored on its opening possession of the second half, but Green returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to put Tanner up 22-14 after Thatch ran in another 2-point conversion.

Thatch closed out the scoring in the fourth quarter on a touchdown run for the final 14-point margin.

Tanner (3-5, 2-3, Class 2A, Region 7) will host Falkville next week in its final region game.